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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 xZEJVuPc7fpGGk5sgw0XPw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000099106-06-000013.txt : 20060505
<SEC-HEADER>0000099106-06-000013.hdr.sgml : 20060505
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060505105423
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000099106-06-000013
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060501
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060505
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060505

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TRANS LUX CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000099106
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES [3990]
		IRS NUMBER:				131394750
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		110 RICHARDS AVE
		CITY:			NORWALK
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06856-5090
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2038534321

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		110 RICHARDS AVENUE
		CITY:			NORWALK
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06856-5090

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LONG JOHN A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001283421

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-02257
		FILM NUMBER:		06811164

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4712 COLT DRIVE
		CITY:			WEST DES MOINES
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50265
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-05-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000099106</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TRANS LUX CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>tlx</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001283421</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LONG JOHN A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>4712 COLT DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WEST DES MOINES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>50265</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-05-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>6.01</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By wife.</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">1,000 shares of Common Stock held by wife of the undersigned, the beneficial ownership of which was disclaimed.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>John A. Long</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-05-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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